“Jesus, looking at him, loved him…” (Mark 10:21)
* * *
Even when I have enthusiasm without understanding,
When I present myself as one who is worthy,
When I think myself a good candidate for the kingdom,
He still looks at me and loves me.
Even when I imagine I have measured up,
Having fulfilled every requirement,
Having aced every exam,
He still looks at me and loves me.
“No killing” — check.
“No adultery” — check.
“No stealing” — check
I smile and know he will be impressed.
“No lying” — check
“No cheating” — check
“No disrespect to mom and dad” — check
What else could he possibly expect?
He looks at me and I see his loving gaze.
I’m sure I’ve made the cut.
Confident, I wait to hear his verdict.
No way I’ll be walking away disappointed this time….
And when the air goes out of the balloon.
He still looks at me and loves me.
The Internet Monk Archives 
When we think we are not like the rich young ruler, then we fall in his same error. I don’t mean socio-economically, but spiritually. We all at heart are hypocrites.
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“Real knowledge is knowing the extent of ones ignorance” – Confucius
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I thought Reboot Christianity had a really good post on the subject of the “rich young man.” I don’t feel too sorry for this guy who had the audacity to say he was upholding all of the commandments.
http://rebootchristianity.blogspot.jp/2012/07/the-teachings-of-jesus-vi-week-30-jesus.html
But your post shows that you got what the rich young man didn’t – our behavior doesn’t save.
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Eagle
You get the essence of the Gospel. I love this comment.
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I think I feel much the same, dumb ox. More clueless and selfish than I probably think I am. Yes, I surrender it all. Until that one thing pops up that I really don’t want to let go.
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As much as I would like to think of myself as broken, I am as much of a clueless self-absorbed, self-righteous schmuck like the rich young ruler. The amazing part of the story is that Jesus loved him.
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“He hears his friends called shallow infidels
Sees the vices they’ve naively held
He looks at their faces
And loves them in spite of himself”
– Mark Heard
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From Isaiah 61:1
“. . . He hath sent Me to bind up the brokenhearted . . . “
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I have no doubt at all that the Gospel was meant for people like me. Broken, hurting, doubting, etc…
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Grace is such a beautiful scandal…
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“Those who are well have no need of a doctor”.
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The gospel is not for the proud.
It is for the brokenhearted.
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